You are here:

What a Circus!

Name: What a Circus!
Director: Lotte Svendsen
Released: 2017
Duration: 90 min

Representation Score

4.7/10

Fair

2017

Director

Lotte Svendsen

Runtime

90 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

What a Circus! revolves around a 'motley circus family,' which naturally supports non-traditional social structures. This setting fosters diverse social arrangements and eclectic casting. While the film avoids direct references to specific identities, it challenges traditional clichés. The female protagonist drives the narrative, and the patriarchal figure is portrayed as unstable rather than authoritative. Overall, the film offers a moderately inclusive environment, using a whimsical, communal setting to move away from uniform social structures, even if specific identity markers are not confirmed.

Watch this, not that →

Category Breakdown

Does What a Circus! have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

The film features a circus setting that supports non-traditional living arrangements. However, there are no clear indications of specific LGBTQ+ identities or romantic relationships.

How does What a Circus! portray gender?

Fair

The film centers around Ramona, a young woman who leads the investigation, moving away from typical male-dominated adventure stories. It also examines the unstable nature of the patriarchal figure, Leo.

How racially and ethnically diverse is What a Circus!?

Fair

The 'motley circus family' suggests a diverse group of performers. Although specific ethnicities are not specified, the setting implies a mix of different backgrounds.

How does What a Circus! represent religion and culture?

Fair

The narrative focuses on the bonds within the circus community, contrasting this with traditional Western institutions. It explores the tension between the magical community life and the competitive, high-pressure management style.

Does What a Circus! include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not include any characters dealing with physical or neurodivergent disabilities.

Present on Screen

The 'chosen family' circus structure provides a basis for non-traditional social dynamics.
A female protagonist leads the story, diverging from conventional male-led adventure narratives.
The setting promotes a diverse, multi-ethnic cast rather than a homogeneous one.

Limited or Absent

The film does not confirm specific LGBTQ+ identities or queer romantic relationships.
There are no characters with visible physical or neurodivergent disabilities.
Specific racial and ethnic identities are not clearly defined in the narrative.

Official Synopsis

Everything is as usual at the circus, where a cheerful band of performers enjoy a world full of magic and where grown-ups get to play. Ramona loves her life inside and outside the circus ring, and not least her motley circus family. But strange tracks in the snow and a series of mysterious incidents threaten to disturb her paradise. Someone is watching her. The question is: Who and why? At the same time, her beloved father and circus manager Leo, is beginning to behave very strangely indeed. Worried that his circus will be outshone by their rival, Circus Supremo, Leo is demanding the impossible from his performers.

How are these scores produced? →